Headache

Edward rolled her eyes and shrugged. "You're not the only pretty girl around here."

"I'm sorry." Cathryn wasn't in the mood to deal with insults and sarcasm, not even from her best friend. Not when her body was tired and sore as if she had been chewed and spit out. She scowled in frustration, "The truth is I wasn't feeling well."

"It was obvious, actually." Justin stood up from his seat and walked towards her, kneeling beside the couch as he looked her over. He ruffled her hair and asked, "What do you want to do?"

She rolled her eyes in exasperation and gazed at Justin's eyes, which was staring back at her with worry, and she gave up. "I want to wait for them and at least get a taste on the food they have brought us."

Edward shook his head, slapping his leg as he guffawed, "You are still hungry after all the things you ate?"

Cathryn gave him a dirty look before answering, "I'm full but I just want to taste."

"Don't force yourself too hard, Cat. "Justin said as he huddled back to the couch with Edward across her.

"Do you want to lay your head on my lap?" Alexander cleared his throat as he tentatively reached out to touch her head. "I can help you massage your temples or something."

Cathryn's head moved in an almost imperceptible nod. She got up from her side of the couch, careful not to move her head a little too much, and sank into Alexander's lap as he moved closer to her.

Tucking up her legs, Alexander pulled the blanket tighter around her shoulders. The threadbare couch sagged and creaked as Alexander shifted her weight a little to get her comfortable.

As he stroked her tresses, Alexander had this urge to give her a quick kiss on the cheek and nuzzle her neck. Even as he sipped on his cold beer, Alexander felt a little warmer—weather, from the drink or Cathryn's closeness, he didn't know.

"You have beautiful silky hair." Alexander rasped.

"Thank you." Cathryn stared at him with wide, shining eyes. "It helps a little bit."

Alexander pressed the back of his hand lightly to her cheek then to her neck, sensing her body temperature.

"You're hot."

Cathryn breathed through her nose as she relaxed.

"I know I am." Cathryn smiled wryly and closed her eyes.

How did she do it?

Even ill she looked gorgeous, her curly auburn hair in place and green eyes were bright, although now red-rimmed and runny.

Alexander ignored the pang of unwelcome sympathy in his heart.

He did this to her.

"No, you have a fever," Alexander said, trying and failing to suppress his rising panic. "You are hot as fuck."

"What?" Edward was about to shove a slice of cake in his mouth but he put the fork back to the plate and hurried to Cathryn's side, touching her face lightly. Shaking his head, he murmured, "Let me get some aspirin."

Edward went to the kitchen to fetch another glass of warm water and two tablets of aspirin.

"I think it's the stress that is causing you a headache."

She opened her eyes at his statement and blinked thrice.

"This is entirely your fault." Cathryn glared at him pointedly and didn't elaborate much.

She didn't see any need when it was so obvious to Alexander what she meant.

Alexander arched his eyebrow slightly as she scrutinized her directly, not intimidated at all. It made her feel self-conscious as she laid her head on his lap. "Maybe, you're monster hang-over came in late."

"I drank three shots and two cans of beer." She shrugged nonchalantly. "Not that much."

Alexander smiled at her, no doubt, amused. "You told me you are a non-drinker and that was your first time drinking."

"I think I handled that pretty well." Cathryn couldn't help but smirk.

"Skip the chips and the salsa." Alexander tucked one of the escaped tendrils of Cathryn's hair behind her ear. "You need to get back to your room."

"I can rest here." Cathryn sighed inwardly. "I'm comfortable enough."

"No, I'll do it." Alexander insisted.

"Do not look at me with those big, seductive eyes please." Cathryn groaned at Alexander as she looked away, staring at anything but him.

Edward arrived with the glass of water and aspirin. Assisting her slowly as she got up to avoid triggering her vertigo, she laid back in Alexander's lap when she finished swallowing the tablets and took five big gulps of the water.

She licked her chapped lips. "My limbs are heavy and I don't think I can't move."

Damn, she wasn't only thirsty, Cathryn was dehydrated as fuck.

Alexander's intense, bright brown eyes regarded her shrewdly and it took a moment for her to find her voice.

He attempted to stand up and said sternly. "I'll carry you. I want to see what your room looks like."